Luxury Staycation near Paskal 23? Collection O Kebon Jeruk Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Luxury Staycation near Paskal 23? Collection O Kebon Jeruk Awaits! and, well, let me tell you, it’s a whole…thing. Let's get one thing straight: I'm not writing some corporate brochure here. I'm spilling the beans, the good, the bad, and the slightly questionable, from the depths of my stay. So, grab your coffee (or, you know, something stronger, no judgment) and let's get this show on the road.
Accessibility - The Good, The Bad, and the Slightly Confusing
Okay, okay, accessibility. This is always the first thing I check. I'm not, ahem, a mobility expert, but I'm pretty observant.
- Wheelchair accessible: Right. They say it's wheelchair accessible. The website, the glossy brochures, all give the impression. We'll see. I need to find a review by someone who actually uses one. I'M skeptical. Keep you posted on that.
- Elevator: Thank goodness because I hate stairs. And, look, sometimes I do have a little trouble with them, depending on the day. So a big plus.
Arrival and First Impressions: The Check-In Shuffle and the Smell of…Something?
Okay, so check in was…well, it was efficient. Contactless check-in/out they advertise. Which is fine, I guess. Less human interaction. They also had a doorman…who wasn't always there. This is a common problem in a lot of places. I did see a 24-hour front desk, which is a relief.
- Safety/security feature: They had these. I like that. I'm a worrier.
- Security [24-hour]: This is reassuring. Especially in a city like this, things can get a little wild.
- CCTV: Everywhere! CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property…Feels like Big Brother's watching (and maybe he is).
- Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms: Essential. Always a relief to see.
Now, the real kicker: My first impression when I walked in? It smelled… different. Like, not good. I couldn't quite place it. A mix of cleaning product and maybe…old air conditioning? I really cannot say enough about it, it threw things off. I'm assuming they'd been using Anti-viral cleaning products, and doing Daily disinfection in common areas. Hopefully they use some that are a little less aggressive in the smell department.
The Room: Luxury? Maybe. Quirks? Definitely.
Right, the payoff. I'm a sucker for a good room. First, the important bits:
- Air conditioning; Thank GOD.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Finally, this one's a win.
- Internet access – wireless Also good right?
- Safe box: Essential.
- Non-smoking rooms: A must.
- Bathroom: Okay, the separate shower/bathtub was a nice touch. I’m a bath person, okay? I can not deny it. I need a tub. The bathrobes and slippers were a nice touch, BUT…
- Additional toilet: Didn't see it. Disappointed.
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Alarm clock: Needed.
- Bathrobes: Nice.
- Complimentary tea: Good.
- Daily housekeeping: Yay.
- Desk: Yay.
- Extra long bed Sweet!
- Hair dryer: Essential.
- High floor: Sweet!
- Interconnecting room(s) available: For families, a positive.
- Ironing facilities: Useful.
- Laptop workspace: Useful.
- Linens: Looked clean.
- Mini bar: Had the essentials (water, Coke, Kit Kat, etc.). Convenient, but overpriced.
- Mirror: Important.
- On-demand movies: I'd had a long day. Good times.
- Private bathroom: Good.
- Reading light: Needed.
- Refrigerator: Needed.
- Satellite/cable channels: Good.
- Seating area: Good.
- Separate shower/bathtub: My favorite.
- Smoke detector: Needed.
- Socket near the bed: Yes! (A HUGE win for anyone who's ever scrambled for a charging outlet).
- Soundproofing: Good for urban areas.
- Telephone: Needed.
- Toiletries: Okay.
- Towels: Clean.
- Umbrella: Always appreciated.
- Wake-up service: Reliable.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Good.
- Window that opens: Necessary for me.
BUT. Let's get to the quirks. There were…odd design choices. A weirdly placed mirror. A lack of enough plug sockets. And the lighting. The lighting was terrible. Harsh overhead bulbs that made everything look drab. It really killed my mood. And the "luxury" part? It felt a little…strained. Like they wanted to be luxurious, but didn't quite hit the mark.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure? (Mostly Mediocre)
Ah, food. The heart of any good staycation, right? Let's run through it:
- Restaurants: They claim to have multiple. Okay, so.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The buffet was…well, it was there. Asian breakfast and Western breakfast. The coffee/tea in restaurant was passable, but nothing to write home about. They had Breakfast service. And they provided Coffee/tea maker.
- Bar: There was a bar. Poolside bar was available. Happy hour was a plus!
- Room service [24-hour]: I ordered room service one night. It was…acceptable.
- Snack bar: Convenient for late-night cravings.
- Desserts in restaurant: Did not try them.
The Buffet in restaurant was very disappointing. Bland, lukewarm food. Not an experience I want to relive. But a few items were good, for instance the Salad in restaurant. Overall, I’d give the dining setup a C-.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: The Spa (Sort Of) and the Non-View Pool
Right, let's talk about unwinding.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: This was a plus! The Pool with view was great.
- Gym/fitness: Was there. Did not check it out after the buffet.
- Spa and Sauna: They bragged about it, so I went. The Spa/sauna was…okay. The Body scrub and Body wrap options were there! The sauna was clean. The steamroom was slightly better.
- Massage: Now this was a serious plus. The Foot bath was heavenly.
So yeah, the pool was nice, but the spa was a mixed bag.
Cleanliness and Safety: Pandemic Concerns Addressed (Mostly)
Here's where they get some serious points. They really seem to be taking the pandemic seriously.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Excellent.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Reassuring.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Good.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Appreciated.
- Safe dining setup: Smart.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly adhered to.
- Cashless payment service: Essential.
They also had some less common features:
- Doctor/nurse on call: Nice to know.
- First aid kit: Always a good sign.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Good hygiene.
- Hygiene certification: They have this.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Good.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: If you’re paranoid.
- Sterilizing equipment: Good.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, The Bad, And…The Elevator That Wasn't Always Working?
Okay, let's quickly run through the extras:
- Air conditioning in public area: Always appreciated.
- Cash withdrawal: Useful.
- Concierge: Available.
- Currency exchange: Useful.
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent.
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: All useful.
- Luggage storage: Good.
- Meetings, Meeting stationery: Good.
- Safety deposit boxes: Essential.
- **Convenience store, Gift/
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this itinerary is less "polished travel brochure" and more "brain dump of a slightly caffeinated human desperately trying to have a good time in Bandung." We're doing Collection O Kebon Jeruk, near the hallowed grounds of Paskal 23, formerly Sentral Paskal. Let's see where this adventure takes us, shall we?
Day 1: Arrival & Bandung's First Impression (AKA "Lost in Translation, Found in Street Food")
14:00 - Arrival at Husein Sastranegara International Airport (BDO): Okay, first things first: the airport. It's… compact. Let's just say it's a good warm-up for the chaos that is Indonesian traffic (more on that later). Finding a taxi? A fun little scavenger hunt. The official taxis are fine, but my spidey senses were tingling; a slightly older local driver in a beat-up sedan got my business (always trust your gut, right?). He grumbled something about the price being "too cheap" but ended up being a total sweetie.
- Emotional Reaction: Mild panic mixed with excitement. Still adjusting to the humidity, which feels like walking through a slightly warm cloud.
15:30 - Check-in at Collection O Kebon Jeruk: The hotel… well, it's clean. It's basic. Think of it as a perfectly functional launching pad for exploring. The air conditioning is a lifesaver. I swear, the moment I stepped out of the shower, I was sweating again. Seriously, this heat is no joke.
- Anecdote: The front desk staff were adorable. Struggling with English, but their smiles were worth a thousand words. One of them kept offering me bottled water like I was about to spontaneously combust. (Bless their hearts.)
16:30 - Wandering and Street Food Hunting (Grateful for Google Maps): Okay, let's talk food. This is where Bandung shines. I ventured out, armed with Google Maps and a desperate plea to find something edible. My first stop? A warung (small food stall) selling batagor. Oh. My. God. I am a changed person. Crispy tofu, creamy peanut sauce, the perfect blend of textures. I almost wept with joy. I got lost trying to find it again later – completely and utterly worth it.
- Quirky Observation: The sheer number of motorcycles is astounding. They weave through traffic with such speed and skill, it's like a ballet of metal and exhaust fumes. (I'm pretty sure I saw a whole family of five on one at one point.)
- Opinionated Language: Seriously, if you don't try the street food, you're missing out. It's cheap, it's delicious, and your taste buds will thank you. Anything with peanut sauce (seriously, anything) is a winner.
19:00 - Dinner at a Local Restaurant (If I Can Find One That Isn't Pizza): I’m starving again. This heat is burning through calories. I'm aiming for something authentic. Wish me luck.
- Emotional Reaction: Hungry. Very hungry. Hoping the Google Translate app doesn't fail me.
Day 2: Paskal Food Market and the Bandung Vibes (AKA "My Stomach Has a Whole Budget Dedicated to Street Food")
09:00 - Breakfast at the Hotel (…Or Trying To): Okay, the hotel breakfast is… adequate. Let's just say I was aiming for something more appealing than the buffet. I'm probably just going to hit the streets again.
- Imperfection: The hotel coffee is… weak. Very, very weak.
10:00 - Trek to Paskal Food Market (Again, Armed with Google Maps): This place is legendary. Supposedly, it's a foodie paradise. I'm expecting fireworks. I'm hungry already.
- Anecdote: The walk to Paskal was interesting. I passed a shop selling what looked like living chickens. Pretty wild to see.
11:00 - Paskal Food Market: The Dive. Okay, Paskal. Let's do this. The sheer volume of food stalls is overwhelming, in the best possible way. The choices are endless. I wandered around like a kid in a candy store.
- Doubling Down on the Experience: I spent a solid two hours in Paskal. First, I ate this amazing grilled chicken – ayam bakar – with rice and spicy sambal. Then, I had siomay (steamed dumplings with peanut sauce – yep, more peanut sauce!). Then, I saw a stall selling pisang ijo (green banana dessert) and caved. My stomach is groaning with happiness. I think I’m experiencing a happy food coma.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated joy. My taste buds are in heaven. This is what I came to Bandung for.
- Quirky Observation: The people-watching is fantastic. Everyone's chowing down, laughing, and clearly enjoying themselves. The vibe is infectious.
14:00 - Attempting to do something other than eat: Maybe some sightseeing? I'm considering the Tangkuban Perahu volcano. That's a big "maybe." The thought of more travel is… daunting.
15:00 - The Decision - Or Lack Thereof: Yeah, I'm staying in. Another nap is calling. I'm pretty sure my digestive system needs a break.
19:00 - Pre-Bedtime Nibbles & Journaling: Another wander for something small and delicious. Then journal.
- Messier Structure and Occasional Rambles: I realized I am not a "sightseeing" person, or at least this isn't my vacation for it. I am a "eat all the food" person. The volcano? Maybe tomorrow?
Day 3: The Long Road Home (And Maybe One Last Peanut Sauce Fix)
09:00 - Breakfast (…Maybe): I'm still not sure I can handle the hotel breakfast. One last street food fling before I go?
10:00 - Souvenir Shopping (Or, Panic-Buying Gifts): I need to get some presents. Any suggestions? I'm open.
12:00 - Final Bandung Meal (Peanut Sauce, Please!): One last hurrah. I'll hunt down my favorite batagor place.
14:00 - Check Out and Head to the Airport: Sigh. The end.
16:00 - Departure from BDO: Time to face reality. I'm already planning my return.
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: Sad to leave! Also, already craving peanut sauce.
16:00 onwards – Travel Home: Jetlag is coming.
This is a rough sketch, of course. Bandung is full of surprises and delicious detours. This outline is just a starting point and can change at any time. Be sure to stay hydrated, embrace the chaos, and eat as much as humanly possible. Enjoy the ride! (And remember, wear sunscreen!)
Escape to Paradise: Great Lakes Inn & Suites South Haven Awaits!
1. Okay, Seriously. What *Is* this "Collection O Kebon Jeruk Awaits" place, and Is it Actually Near Paskal 23?
2. Is it Actually "Luxury?" My Wallet is Already Weeping.
3. What About the Rooms? Are They Clean? (This is Crucial)
4. Okay, Okay, Fine. But What's the *Vibe* Like? Is it Romantic? Family-Friendly? Party Central?
5. Are there any restaurants or food services on site? I'm a foodie!
6. What are some things to do near this Hotel?
7. Okay, I'm sold (maybe). Anything else I should keep in mind?!
